Renting in the UK becomes more expensive as tenants spend over 28% of their pay on rent

Average rents for new lets have also risen, jumping 10.4% in a year, making it harder for people to afford places.

The pressure of rising mortgage rates faced by landlords, as well as higher demand for properties than the number made available, have combined to raise the costs for tenants.

Those trying to move from renting to buying their own home also face greater difficulty in securing a mortgage.

Rents have been growing faster than wages in the UK for nearly two years, making affordability of renting the worst in a decade.

There are signs of financial stress for tenants, particularly those on low incomes.

The rental market in the UK is facing a significant shortage of homes, with 20-40% fewer available compared to before the pandemic.

There is also high demand from tenants, which is expected to worsen during the summer months.

The cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow have a high concentration of rental properties due to their strong job markets and quality of life, but the recruitment of foreign students by their universities has contributed to the pressure on the rental market.

The Scottish government's introduction of a freeze on rents and evictions and a 3% cap on rent increases has led to newly-advertised rents rising as landlords seek to protect their income.

The rental sector survey by Zoopla tracks the rents that landlords request but adjusts the numbers to reflect the eventual agreed rent.

Homeowners and landlords have been impacted by rising interest rates and mortgage rates, which are spilling over into the buy-to-let market and causing some landlords to consider selling up.

This could create a further shortage of rental properties and increase the cost of renting.